Little 'Drummer' Boy - Bing Crosby & David Bowie

A little on the grey side this morning, but mild with some moisture in the air were all soon forgotten as a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard 'drumming' (excavating a hole in a tree) in the cemetery, while at the same time what could have been its partner flew off to the west. I don't know if Great Spot's have nested here before, it would be a surprise if they hadn't, as the setting is perfect while among the many mature trees there must be endless food. Perhaps needless to say I will be keeping my eye on the situation.

On Radipole, Chiffchaffs continue to sing, while there was a third GS Woodpecker plus half a dozen Redwing, but the limelight was stolen by the arrival of

c16 Sand Martins, not unexpected but a welcome addition to the GB Year List. Not at all easy to photograph on the wing and at some altitude, this silhouette was the best I could do!

Otherwise, Cetti's Warblers continue to get more bold by the day, Water Rails seem to have fallen quiet and there were a few more Gulls than yesterday including these sub-adult Herrings in various stages of plumage.

Now, please don't confuse my next move with a text received yesterday and confirmation of the sighting of an adult Glaucous Gull at Charmouth on the Dorset Bird Club web site, no it's just that I thought it would be nice to take a ride on the X53 bus and see what turns up. Yeah, alright!

No disrespect meant but I have never been over enamoured with this village, the church dating from 1836 being about the only notable feature, but get down to

the sea-side and it's quite a different matter. Immediately west of the small promenade is a section of 'land slip', but no means as dramatic as those between Seaton and Sidmouth, but just as interesting (always a fantastic walk), while a little further along

Lyme Regis can be seen, with its world famous Cob jutting out into Lyme Bay. Oh, hang on a second, that Gull looks rather pale wonder what it is?

Now that's a lucky discovery that I uncovered all on my own, an adult

Glaucous Gull.

A little distant and at all times in the full glare of the sun (moan, moan, moan) but what a bird!

To continue with the Geography lesson, to the east stands Golden Cap

and a little closer so the reader can see that it is the highest point on the South Coast of Great Britain (another fine walk). I did spend a full hour looking at the Gull, but this was punctuated by texts and phone calls alerting others to its continuing presence

plus a look at this tiny Black Crab

Before heading back to catch the bus, I did check-out the Heritage Centre and the Beach Cafe mainly to advise potential 'twitchers' that both are open every day, times at the weekend being 10:30 to 16:30. Well worth a visit to both I would say. Good Luck to Meirel Whaites and staff at both establishments. PS (sorry) there is also an excellent Fossil Shop which, I was advised by potential buys, is excellent value compared to others along this coast!

Close by I found this map of the Jurassic Coast, one of the best I've come across, and feel sure it will be of some interest especially to our overseas readers who might like to get a better idea of the 'lie of the land' here. Right Click on the image, then right click on it again to magnify.

and just when you thought you'd got Far From the Madding Crowd! It's rare I go far without meeting someone familiar, and what nicer couple would you wish to meet than fellow Portland Observatory friends Phil & Sue Johnson taking a walk and the sun on their own turf. Great to see you both, and don't forget that coffee!

On the way back to Weymouth I took a few shots of Dorset scenes, through the bus window

starting with Symondsbury, just west of Bridport and tucked in the valley between Colmer's & Old Warren Hills.

This was followed by a shot of Bridport itself, looking up the High Street from the west, a town I always consider, in the nicest possible way a 'time warp'. Little seems to change here except for the sometimes frantic music scene.

While finally, I was almost able to get the full length of Bucky Doo the West Bay 'gig' being launched at the fishing village slipway.

Welcome back Bowie & Sheila from your Orchid Expedition in Cyprus, glad it was a success. Thank you for the cider, which I needed after the warmth of the sun on that bus, plus the Marzipan and plain chocolate Bounty Bar, you know the way to a man's heart.

and finally, I have to mention the coincidence of having tea with Annie yesterday and today's star bird. It was just 20 days over 2 years ago that we first met on the beach at Swanage, while photographing my last Dorset Glaucous Gull (by MY, I mean, like today's bird, initially found by somebody else) and she was collecting the most minute Cowry shells I have ever seen.

So, with that in mind I dedicate these photographs of the Swanage bird to Annie!

adult Glaucous Gull, Swanage 25/02/2009

Another Good Day In The Field, and Elsewhere

Despite the wind having backed into the north east, it was a little less chilly this morning but it was altogether more blustery. It may well have been the strength of the wind that laid most of the bird life low, with barely a tweet coming from the cemetery and even the Gulls had completely abandoned the north end of the lake at Radipole.

Not so the car park further on, as I found this still maturing Great Black-backed Gull among the small flock of Black-headed Gulls, but there was nothing more to keep me here.

With the blow directly in my face the walk to Lodmoor was bit of a struggle, but as it turned out well worth every pace. This extremely striking Lesser Black-backed Gull, appearing 'all legs' was just the start, as meeting up with Daragh he whetted my apatite with the prospect of

Little Ringed Plover which, according to his account of things, were found by fellow birders Niel and Christine Arnold yesterday. There were in fact c2, my first of the year, while only a few feet away a Water Pipit, still in winter plumage, was an addition to the Dorset annual total. c2 Marsh Harriers were also seen, and as if to try and keep some symmetry

c2 Spoonbills were also there. Before leaving the Moor c3 Bearded Tits and a single Common Buzzard were recorded while this

lone Moorhen made for a decent picture.

At Portland Bill there were even leaner pickings, and while the Hoopoe of recent days was still there it didn't come into my view. There were however c2 Goldcrest in the Obs garden as was this Bumble Bee.

Returning to Radipole in the hope of a Sand Martin it was a case of photographing anything that presented a decent image. This bathing Coot was fair game

as a male and

female Gadwall past by within 'clicking distance'. Another female Marsh Harrier was quartering the reeds in the vicinity of North Hide,

and this Black-headed Gull, swooping for bread was also worthy of a shot, as was

a far more obliging Small Tortoiseshell than the one yesterday.

From here I headed for the Weymouth Pavilion where there was an exhibition and explanation of the proposed 'wind farm' intended for an off-shore site between Purbeck and the Isle of Wight.

On the way the Police helicopter was seen in action, apparently monitoring an accident somewhere in the town, and at the event also had a long overdue meeting with a lady I met on the beach at Swanage 2 years ago. Annie and I enjoying a nice cup of tea and an all too short chat, but it was great to see you again nonetheless!

The 'GB Year List now stands at 189

Some Might Say - Oasis

that getting shat on from a great height by a Herring Gull is lucky so, just 100 yards from home and wiping the 'daisies' from my bright red coat, I started to believe that today was the day for a serious rarity?

Not as sprightly as in days of yore, great care is always taken when crossing the bye-pass to Radipole, but the maniac hurtling around the curve in the road very nearly ended my days - the gesticulations are not repeatable! At the concrete bridge, intending to make a note of Bearded Tit, the end of my Biro flicked from my grip and disappeared into the lake, as you can imagine I spent the rest of the day wandering around with that 'pen-top' feeling? Finally, continuing along side the grassy area close to the Gurkha restaurant, feeling that perhaps I should have left the 'bird muck' in place, I was attacked by c2 Jack Russell terriers. The one that bit into my boot received a sharp kick while it was now difficult to decide whether it was the other dog, or the owner 'yapping' the loudest. Considered 'my own fault' (as a previously innocent passer-by) by the elderly, male owner the first dog ran off across the main road, forcing a motorist into an emergency stop, as he chased after it. Even when I pointed out that the c2 leads slung around his neck might be better deployed around the necks of his 'out of control' animals (which I would have gladly helped him tighten, before buying a third) it was still me responsible for his charge running off. So, as it seemed the bird shit wasn't working I got the bus to Ferrybridge.

However, before all of that it had been noted that Robins were most vocal today, and that the number of Chiffchaffs had also increased in number. Spread across two of the reed-beds there must have been double figures of Bearded Tit, but difficult to be accurate, while once again the Hooded Merganser was too much of a temptation, so here he is again!

A Graphic Illustration of Mediterranean Gull Take-Off Technique

Radipole Car Park

Up, Up and Away - The 5th Dimension

At the Bridge, apart from about a dozen

'first winter' Herring Gulls the only other bird on the fore-shore was

this single Ringed Plover.

Over on Portland things were similarly quiet and with no intentions of looking at the still present Hoopoe, it obliged by flying across the road right in front of me. No, from here it turned into more of a 'people day' starting with Melvyn Gilham who stopped half way down Sweethill for a chat. I'd barely made the top before 'shipmate' Terry Why stopped similarly, while at Culverwell Mark Hill did the same as he was driving home. At the Portland Bird Observatory there were some of the usual visitors, but the highlight of my day was being introduced, by Ian Lewis, to his step daughter and his 2 Grand-daughters. Well, to enjoy such stimulating conversation, including tales of their extensive travels, from 2 young girls the oldest only 13 was a joy to behold. Thank You all for that!

It is rare I retrace my tracks on the way home, but today crossing Radipole the resident

Carrion Crow with part 'white wings' was seen after a short absence,

my first Celandine's of the year were in bloom while slightly better shots

of Great Crested Grebes passing vegetation

and displaying were taken, albeit through the reeds.

c3 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies appeared whirling through the air together,

only alighting briefly for a couple of poor shots.

This is a little more what they look like.

At the cemetery a Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling, and on investigating I found another photographer usurping 'my patch'.

Unable to resist the urge to poke my nose in, it still isn't quite clear what they were doing

but one most attractive young lady was photographing her equal in the beauty stakes, ably assisted by a young man. PS - none of my business anyway, but I did invite them to read this Blog entry, so here's hoping.